Legislation introduced on Jan. 14 by U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Mike Kelly (R-PA) would reinstate individuals’ access to short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) plans, which offer Americans affordable, temporary health coverage options.
“Limiting Americans’ access to health care is never good policy, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis,” Rep. Carter said. “I’m proud to lead this effort ensuring that health care is accessible and available to all patients in need and will continue working hand-in-hand with the incoming Trump administration to make America healthy again.”
The Healthcare Freedom and Choice Act, H.R. 379, which Rep. Carter sponsored alongside six original cosponsors, including Reps. Buchanan and Kelly, would reinstate access to STLDI plans for up to 36 months, an increase from the Biden administration’s rule instituted last year that limited access to four months, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Rep. Buchanan pointed out that the rule was misguided and costly, resulting in rising health insurance costs that he said are crippling Americans with soaring premiums and forcing them to pay for more expensive health insurance.
“Americans deserve to have more options on the table that are affordable for them and their families,” said Rep. Buchanan. “I look forward to working with Congressman Carter and the incoming Trump administration to rescind this and other ill-advised Biden administration healthcare policies to ensure that Americans can make personal decisions about their own health care.”
“Lawmakers should work to make health care more affordable for Americans, not more expensive,” added Rep. Kelly. “This legislation would expand health care freedom and reverse this problematic and costly Biden administration measure.”
The bill, which is also cosponsored by Republicans including U.S. Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) and Julia Letlow (R-LA), is supported by the America First Policy Institute, Americans for Prosperity, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, The LIBRE Initiative, the Health Benefits Institute, Heritage Action, and several additional organizations.